Friends of Loudoun Kirk - Recently Updated Pages

mcphee

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:29:40 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

The Scottish Milkmaid

Agnes14 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:35:34 CDT

Janet Little, known as "The Scottish Milkmaid," local poetess and contemporary of Robert Burns lies buried in the kirkyard. Born 1759; died 15th March 1813, daughter of George Little of Ecclefechan, she received a fair education as far as education went for girls in her station of life at the time. Her first employment was in the home of The Rev John Johnston, minister of the dissenting church of Eccelfechan. It was he, and his son, also Rev. John Johnston who taught Thomas Carlyle Latin. Secessionist ministers were required to be thoroughly grounded in Greek, Latin and original Hebrew and with an emphasis on education and no doubt he would therefore have a well stocked library which Janet would have access to.

She is reported to have been tall, dark haired, rather masculine looking, described by one of her contemporaries as “no bad representation of some of Sir Walter Scott’s gigantic heroins, but without their impudence.” She was employed by Mrs Dunlop of Dunlop who encouraged her reading and interest in writing poetry and no doubt was greatly influenced by the works of Robert Burns whilst at Dunlop House. After the suicide of the 5th Earl of Loudoun, Mrs Dunlop’s daughter, Susan Henri leased Loudoun Castle and Janet was offered charge of the dairy. She was a great admirer of the writings of Burns although she made it clear in her poems, she did not approve of his rather baser exploits. Much of her work, although praising and appreciating the works of Burns, also identifies herself with him as both being of working class. She was deeply interested in all she heard about Burns and much encouraged by Mrs Dunlop, Janet (Jenny) wrote to Burns, sending him a rhyming epistle in the hope that she may meet him and share their love of poetry and writing. Burns did not appreciate this as was hoped, whether because she was a reminder of his humble station in life, unappealing in looks or didn’t want bothered by another competitive poet, we cannot tell. He replied instead to Mrs Dunlop making feeble excuses about his inability to write a "fine-drawn" letter.

In 1791, Janet Little, encouraged by Mrs Dunlop, made the journey to Ellisland, near Dumfries but timing was bad however at the same time as her arrival, Jean was giving birth and Burns had taken a fall from his horse and broke his arm. She did however manage to speak to him and reported back to Mrs Dunlop that he was in so much pain he could not lie down but spent the night on the chair. There are many references to Janet between Burns and Mrs Dunlop and in one of her letters, she asks Burns "what did you thing of Jenny on sight?".

Janet married widower John Richmond in 1792, a worker on the Loudoun Estate. That was the same year as her book of poems was published.

Her poems brought her support from working-class public and gentry alike and with advice from people like James Boswell to dedicate the book to a titled lady instead of Burns, and Mrs Dunlop's patronage, no doubt increased the subscribers to around 700. Janet dedicated the book to 12 year old Lady Flora Mure Campbell, countess of Loudoun. A shrewd move, as after the dedication and a poem there was no further mention of the family, instead, Janet’s poems reflected the working class conditions of the day. Burns did eventually advise and subscribe to the publication of the poems. She is also known to have knowledge of the works of other writers such as Addison, Rowe, Montagu, Pope & Johnston amongst others, and was in communication with Alexander Wilson from Paisley. Wilson gave up working in the mill in Paisley to become a herd boy at a farm in Beith as work in the mill did not allow enough time for his writing. He was imprisoned for libel as a result of his satirical poem, The Shark, about a Paisley mill owner. After his release, he went to America and eventually became one of America best known ornithologists.

Janet was known to be a devoted stepmother, well liked in the community, was a “burgher”, a member of the dissenting church of Galston and was considered one of it’s most devout and intelligent members. Her memory was good enough that on hearing a sermon for the second time, could remember if the speaker omitted a sentence. When Rev Mr Schaw asked, what she thought of the sermon, she replied “I thocht it was rather flowery. Ye’ ken what I mean, Mr Schaw—a wi’ hue mair soun’ than sense” After such an astute answer, and a little taken aback at this reply from a servant woman, he warned, on his departure, that they would have to beware of their sermons with such a critic as Janet Little.

In 1792 she published a volume of poems under the title of "The Poetical Works of Janet Little, the Scottish Milkmaid". The dedication, on page 3, of the book reads "TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FLORA, COUNTESS OF LOUDOUN, THE FOLLOWING POEMS ARE WITH PERMISSION, HUMBLY INSCRIBED, BY YOUR LADYSHIP'S EVER GRATEFUL, AND OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, JANET LITTLE." The Full Text of this work is available online from the University of California, Davis library.

Janet Little died in 1813 and 5 years later her husband John Richmond died at the age of 78 in 1819.

Other references:-
The Works of Robert Burns: with his life by Allan Cunningham, printed 1834 by Jas Cochrane & Co. London
The Complete Works of Robert Burns etc published by W.P. Nimmo, Hay & Mitchell, 1889
(From Janet Little & Robert Burns, by Moira Ferguson)Romantic women writers By Paula R. Feldman, Theresa M. KelleyUniversity Press of New EnglandHanover & LondonISBN 0-87451-724-9

Home

Agnes14 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:12:53 CDT

Collected Tales

This wiki is designed to be an interactive way to assist with people tracing their family histories associated with Loudoun Kirk (parish of Loudoun). Please note that Loudoun Kirk is often confused with Newmilns Church which later became the central parish church.

Feel free to add any local tales and memories regarding the Kirk and surrounding area, but for the benefit of other genealogists please can you state the source of your information where ever possible to avoid confusion between families.

Have you a family or other interesting story relating to Loudoun to tell? you can add it by clicking on "add a new page", give it a title and use "Easy Edit" to write your story, then save.

Go to Family History Home to add your family history information
or Family History Resources to add or find Birth, Death, Marriage registrations, Marriage Proclamations or census information.

Also if your family is connected to Loudoun and have a family history website, you can add a link to that as well.

Please contact Susan Smith on folk122@hotmail.com if you have any queries regarding this wiki.

If you have visited this site through a search engine etc. and you haven't yet visited our main website for Loudoun Kirk, click on the link below and that will take you directly to it.
Return to main Friends of Loudoun Kirk Website.

Friends of Loudoun Kirk ( F.O.L.K.) Charity registered in Scotland No. SC023836
Loudoun Kirk Preservation Trust (L.K.P.T. )Charity registered in Scotland No SC027987

Loudoun Kirk Family History Websites

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:26:09 CDT

The following are a list of names visible on gravestones in Loudoun kirkyard, if you have a family history or related website for any of the families buried in the Kirkyard, please use the index to link the name to the site. Spelling is irrelevant.
Just click on "Easy Edit", hightlight the name and select "link" from the Easyedit toolbar and enter the website address. Or if you have your family tree elsewhere on this site, use the list as an index to link to it.

What is shown here are the names visible on stones, any other additions should be added to the Misc: section so if you know you have family buried there but the name does not appear, please add it at the end. Of course the problem of linking only one site to each name can be overcome by adding the Surname again and suffix the earliest known date, farm, or by some other means of identification.

LIST OF NAMES

A: Aird, Allan, Allison, Alston, Anderson,

B: Baird, Barnl?, Barr, Bell, Blackwood, Blane, Borland, Bowman, Brown, Buchanan,

C: Caddies, Campbell, Chapman, Cook, Craig, Crawford, Cunninham,

D: Dallachan, Dalziel, Davidson, Dempster, Denham, Dogherty, Donald, Dunn, Douglas

E: Esdale

F: Fairns, Findlay, Fleming, Flemming, Forrest, Fulton, Fyltgun,

G: Gallagher, Gebbie, Gibson, Gloag, Goldie,

H: Hamilton, Hastings, Henderson, Hendrie, Hendry, Hillhouse, Hood, Houston, Howat, Howerd, Howie, Howieson, Hutchison,

I: Ingles

J: Jamieson, Jeffrey, Jessop

K: Kerr, Kier, King, Kirkland

L: Lamont, Law, Leacecock, Leiper, Lennox, Lindsay, Linn, Loudoun, Love, Lymburn, Lyon

Mc: McCall, McCallum, McCourt, McGhee, McKean, McLatchie, McLaughland, McClurking,, McMillan, McNath

M: Mackie, Mair, Manson, Mason, Maxwell, Millar, Miller, Mitchell, Moore, Morton, Moultrie, Muir, Munro, Murchland

N: Neil, Nicol, Nisbet, Nolan, Nuton

O: O’Hare, Ormiston

P: Palmer, Parker, Paterson, Patterson, Pettigrew, Pollock, Proudfoot, Pyper,

R: Ralson, Rankin, Rankine, Reid, Richmond, Robertson, Roxburgh

S: Scott, Semple, Smith, Stark, Stephen, Stevenson, Struthers, Stirling, Surgeon, Symington

T: Thompson, Thomson, Thorn, Timpany, Tomlinson, Torrance,

U: Urquhart,

V: Valance,

W: Wallace, Wardrop, Waters, Watt, Watters, White, Whyte, Williamson, Wilson, Windyford, Woodburn, Wright, Wyllie,

Y: Yule, Young

Misc:

Brown, Hugh (1803-1885) Newmilns-Glasgow

Agnes14 — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:37:33 CDT

The life of Hugh Brown initially appears unassuming. He was born 1803 in Newmilns to Hugh Brown and Ann Lindsay, and like many citizens of the Valley, he became a weaver. He had no more than a education common to working classes but had a thirst for knowledge beyond reading, writing and arithmatic so became self-taught. Even after the long working shifts, he still found time to attend evening classes. The village library supplied much of his reading requirements, however he assumed a taste for poetry and much admired Byron whose death led him to give vent to his feelings which he addressed to the editor of the Scots Magazine. His verses found a place together with the editor's remarks “The the spirit of Burns still hovers among the peasantry of his native county of Ayr, we think will be manifest from the following letter and verses, which have lately been sent to us from an Ayrshire village, by one of the same class to which Burns belonged......” His lines “To the memory of Byron” were copied into several newspaper of the day. A short extract from TO THE MEMORY OF LORD BYRON.

The harp of the minstrel is hung in. the hall,
And his fleeting existence is o'er ;
And still are its strings, as it sleeps on the wall,
Like the fingers that swept it before.
His eye, once so bright, has been robbed of its fire,
His bosom once wild as the wave,
Which the shrill note of liberty's trump could inspire,
Or the heart-thrilling tones of the well-swept lyre,
Is silent and still as the grave.

Hugh Brown had now gained support from the local community, who considered him of superior intellect. He soon left his work as a weaver and accepted a position as teacher at Drumclog school, the scene of battle which the Covenanters overthrew Claverhouse. This was the inspiration for one of his best known poems “The Covenanters”. His term at Drumclog finished and he accepted a post at Barr school in Galston. . He married Janet Allen, in 1833 and as far as we know, had only one daughter Agnes, born around 1835. Even teaching, he still found time to study, absorb Latin & French and write poetry. His poem “The Covenanters”, with several others were published in 1838 by J Symington & Co, Glasgow.
After teaching in Galston, he took up a post in Lanark followed by another post in Lanark when a new school was built for him. He retired to Glasgow and ended his life in obscurity and poverty in Garscube Road, Glasgow and his death was registered by his daughter, Agnes. An extract from “The Covenanters” ere Loudoun Hill lifts high its conic form,

And bares its rocky bosom to the storm,
Time's varying change has come o'er man;
but, thou Stand'st with immortal nature on thy brow !
As when the Roman soldier gazed on thee,
Abrupt, and frowning in thy majesty,
There Caesar's sentinel his vigil kept,
And Rome's proud legions in thy shadow slept;
There the tired eagle, like a guiltless thing,
Paused in its flight and drooped its weary wing;
Beneath thy brow their flag of death was furled,
Whose life was war, whose empire was the world.

Wilson, Margaret (B1855)

Agnes14 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:09:11 CDT

Parish:Galston
GRO:

M/F:f
Name:Margaret Wilson
Where born:Henrietta Street, Galston
When born:14 Mar 1855

Father: Robert Wilson (27 - Galston)
Occupation:carrier
Mother: Isabella Nisbet b; Loudoun (26yrs)
Marriage:1849 Loudoun

Registered By:Robert Wilson (father)

Notes: 4th child (1 girl living, 2 boys deceased)

Next Registration

BC 1855 Young, James

Agnes14 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:43:12 CDT

Parish: Galston
GRO: 593/00 0038 P8

M/F: m
Name: James Young
Where born: Orchard Street, Galston
When born: 21 Mar 1855

Father: Robert Young
Occupation: Cotton Weaver
Mother: Susan Ramage
Marriage:

Registered By: Robert Young (father)

Notes: Her 1st child, 24 years also noted on the left column is "Fire W13"

Next Registration

Loudoun Links

folk122 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:29:26 CDT

Do you know sites connected to Loudoun, feel free to add them here.

Loudoun County, Va
http://www.loudoun.gov/anniversary/highlights/release01.htm

Fort Loudoun
http://thesmokies.com/features/places/fort_loudon/index.htm

Irvinebank, Queensland, Au
www.infocus.to/irvinebank
(This link will take you to another site relating to Irvinebank - I have been trying unsucessfully to access the original site using this URL but it seems to have been hi-jacked by another - hope it can get resolved soon - the site relates to the town of Irvinebank in Queensland, named by John Moffat of Newmilns to remind him of his birthplace. John Moffat is referred to as Queensland's greatest mining entrepreneur - ).

Museum website: http://www.irvinebank.org.au

Galston, Australia (1866)
http://www.galstonchamber.com.au/History.html

The Gutenburg Press has free dowloadable or read on-line books. In "Scotland's Mark on America by George Fraser Black" there is mention of :-

John L Hamilton (1835-1904) born in Newmilns, Ayrshire came to the United States in 1853, and soon became eminent as a builder.

Alexander Morton (1820 - 1860) the perfector, if not the inventor of gold pens, was born in Darvel, Ayrshire

Gemmil, William (c1841)

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:12:30 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Walkers of Loudoun & Galston

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:13:58 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

MAIR, Mary (d1891)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:37:57 CDT

Parish: loudon
GRO:603/00 0083

Name: Mary MAIR
Spouse: James MAIR (master Mason)

Date: 12 July 1891
Place: Main St, newmilns
Age: 54

Father: James WILSON
Occupation: Lace maker
Mother: Margaret REID

Cause of death: Rheumatism

Registered by: James MAIR , widow

Next Registration

MACKAY,William (d 1891)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:35:43 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO: 603/00 00 83

Name: William MACKAY
Spouse: Single

Date: 12 July 1891
Place: Hawthorn Cottage, Newmilns
Age: 80

Father: Stewart MACKAY (dec)
Occupation: Muslin Weaver
Mother: Margaret PARKER ( dec) this is incorrect it should read MARTHA PARKER

Cause of death:Apoplexy

Registered by: John WAGSTAFF 'Occupier' ( newphew)

Next Registration

MAIR, Flora (d 1891)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:32:42 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO: 603/00 00 83

Name: Flora Muir Crawford MAIR
Spouse: Single

Date: 28 June 1891
Place: Main St, Newmilns
Age: 88

Father: Archibald MAIR (dec)
Occupation: Army Captain
Mother: Jane WOODBURN (dec)

Cause of death: Cardiac Failure

Registered by: Allan mcPHERSON 'Occupier'

Next Registration

AIRD, John (d 1864)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:26:52 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO: 603/00 0074

Name: John AIRD
Spouse: Jean WADDELL

Date: 28 Aug 1864
Place: Main St, Newmilns
Age: 55

Father: Hugh AIRD (dec)
Occupation: Farmer
Mother: Christina ... (inelligible)

Cause of death: Pthisis

Registered by: Brother ( name very hard to read)

Next Registration

WAGSTAFF, Margaret (d 1864)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:24:40 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO: 603/00 0074

Name: Margaret WAGSTAFF
Spouse: Archibald WAGSTAFF (dec)

Date: 28 Aug 1864
Place: Doitburn St, Newmilns
Age: 53

Father: Stewart MACKAY(dec)
Occupation Muslin Weaver
Mother: Martha PARKER

Cause of death: Bronchitis

Registered by: Stewart WAGSTAFF (son)

Next Registration

MORTON, John (d 1864)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:21:55 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO: 603 /00 0074

Name: John MORTON
Spouse: Sarah Mc ... ( atrocious writing)

Date: 21 Aug 1864
Place: Broomhill
Age: 74

Father: Adam MORTON (dec)
Occupation: Farmer
Mother: Janet SMITH (dec)

Cause of death: Influenza

Registered by: Andrew MORTON (brother)

Next Registration

LAIDLOW, Jane (d 1861)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:15:24 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO: 603/00 0055

Name: Jane LAIDLOW
Spouse: Single

Date: 24 Sep 1861
Place: Main St, Newmilns
Age: 86

Father: blank
Occupation:
Mother: blank

Cause of death: Debility Old Age

Registered by: Andrew WEIR (neighbour)

Next Registration

ALEXANDER, Ann (d 1861)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:13:05 CDT

Parish: loudon
GRO: 603/00 00 55

Name: Ann ALEXANDER
Spouse: Infant

Date: 18 Sep 1861
Place: Darvel
Age: 18 days

Father: Robert ALEXANDER
Occupation: Muslin Weaver
Mother: Ann SOMMERVILLE

Cause of death: Premature Birth

Registered by: William SOMMERVILE his X (uncle)

Next Registration

MACKAY,Martha (d 1861)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:09:57 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO:603/00 00 55

Name: Martha MACKAY
Spouse: Single

Date: 10 Sep 1861
Place:
Age: Doitburn St, Loudon

Father: Stewart MACKAY (dec)
Occupation: Muslin Weaver
Mother: Martha PARKER (dec)

Cause of death:Consumption
Registered by: John MACKAY (brother)

Next Registration

RICHMOND, Mary (d 1886)

AngelamcMurtry — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:51:45 CDT

Parish: Loudon
GRO: 603/00 00 26

Name: Mary RICHMOND
Spouse: Andrew RICHMOND (dec) muslin weaver

Date: 24 March 1886
Place: Townfoot , Darvel
Age: 85

Father: John YOUNG ( dec)
Occupation: Coal Miner
Mother: unknown YOUNG ( ms McMinn?)

Cause of death:Senile Decay

Registered by: Andrew Richmond -son Glasgow

Next Registration